Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragonettes, were on the home floor for the first time in 2026 as they took on the Lady Warriors of White County on Friday, January 9th. The Nettes, were looking to rebound after a tough loss at North Hall on Tuesday night. The Lady Warriors, came into the game at the top of the 6-AAA region standings. After a slow start by the Nettes, they were able to rally and pick up a much needed win, 44-40.

The first quarter, did not go the way the Nettes had hoped it would as the Lady Warriors came out of the gate with an 11-0 run to start the game. Kalynn Watkins, Aslyn Burkett, Zara Gosse, and Ella Kate Shedd were all a part of the Lady Warrior run. Ellison Steinhauer, would finally get a bucket to fall to get the Nettes on the board. A three by Burkett, would put the Lady Warriors up 14-2. A tough lay-in by Steinhauer, would make it 14-4 Lady Warriors heading to the second quarter.

The Nettes, would come out with a different mindset in the second quarter as a 10-0 run sparked by Steinhauer and Bree Jewell, would tie the ball game at 14. Shedd, would put an end to the run as she would go on a 5-0 run to give the Lady Warriors a 19-14 lead. Steinhauer, would knock down a three to make it 19-17. After another basket by Shedd, freshman Darbi Stanley, would hit a three to make it 21-20 White County at the break.

The second half started with Steinhauer giving the Nettes their first lead of the game with a bucket. The Lady Warriors, would counter with a 6-0 run to make it 27-22. After a timeout, Tania Rivera, would cut the lead to three with a layup. A basket by Shedd, would bring the lead back to five. Steinhauer, would then split a pair of free throws to make it 29-25.

A three by Reagan Ludington, would trim the Lady Warrior lead down to one. Just before the third quarter buzzer, Steinhauer, would nail a fade away jumper to give the Nettes a 30-29 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

Steinhauer, would get things going in the fourth with a bucket to extend the lead to three. Gosse, would connect on a little jumper to cut the lead back to one. Steinhauer, would answer with a three to make it a four point game. Gosse, would split a pair of free throws on the other end to cut the lead to three. A discussion was then had about a ball out of bounds that was initially called out on Pickens was reversed after the officials determined it went off of White County.

The White County bench, would then receive a warning. After the Lady Warriors called timeout, the head coach would receive a technical. Steinhauer, would split the technical free throw shots. After a timeout by the Nettes, Steinhauer, would get another one to fall to make it a six point game. Shedd, would cut that lead in half with a three. Steinhauer, would then get a jumper to go to make it a five point advantage.

Gosse, would make a pair of free throws to trim the lead back to three at 40-37. Ludington, would then step to the line and make a pair of free throws to once again give the Nettes a five point lead. After a big defensive rebound by Skyler Lathem, she would knock down a pair of free throws to make it 44-37. A last second three by Anijah Moss, would give us a final of 44-40.

Leading scorers for the Nettes:

Ellison Steinhauer: 27 points

Bree Jewell: 5 points

Reagan Ludington: 5 points

Darbi Stanley: 3 points

Skyler Lathem: 2 points

Tania Rivera: 2 points

6-AAA Girls Region Standings:

GAC: 7-5 (3-0)

Pickens: 8-6 (3-1)

White County: 12-3 (3-1)

Lumpkin: 11-4 (2-2)

North Hall: 9-5 (2-2)

Chestatee: 8-7 (1-3)

Dawson: 10-5 (1-3)

Johnson-Gainesville: 0-13 (0-4)

The Nettes, will be right back on the court on Saturday, January 10th as they take on the Fannin Lady Rebels in non-region action. The Nettes, defeated the Lady Rebels in Blue Ridge on November 18th. The Lady Rebels, have only lost once since then. Tip off is set for 5:30 pm.